Vehicle bed assembly



April 5, 1949.

E. LISOTA VEHICLE BED ASSEMBLY 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 18, 1947 INVENTOR Edward L isoZa ATTORNEYS April 5, 1949. I E. LISOTA 2,466,452

VEHICLE BED ASSEMBLY Filed April 18, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 5, 149. E. LISQTA 2,466,452

VEHICLE BED ASSEMBLY Filed April 18, 1947 3.Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 5, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,466,452 VEHICLE BED ASSEMBLY Edward Lisota, Patterson, Calif. Application April 18, 1947, Serial No. 742,351

This invention is directed to, and it is an object to provide, a vehicle having a novel, mov ably mounted load carrying bed assembly; the latter being arranged for rearward sliding and. downward tilting motion, from normal carrying position, whereby said bed may be inclined into ground engagement forease of loading and unloading operations. 7

Another object of the invention is tomount the vehicle bed assembly in relatively "slidable connection with one section of an articulated main frame of the vehicle; such articulated main frame being arranged for vertical buckling so as to thus tilt or incline the bed assembly for ground engagement atoneend. l

I A further object of the invention i's toprovide the bed assembly with a power actuated unloading device, including a transverse pusher bar on the bed coupled to driven endless members associated with said bed. a

Anadditional object of the invention is to provide novel actuating mechanisms operative, selectively and independently, to tilt the bed'assembly; to shift or slide the'bedassembly longs tudinally; and to operate said unloadingdevioe.

15 claims. (01. 214-45) It is also an object of the instant invention to provide actuating mechanisms, asin the preced ing paragraph, wherein the bed assembly tilting mechanism includes a hydraulic ram; the bed assembly sliding mechanism incorporates a novel includes screw unit; and the unloading device sprocket driven endless chains. I

A further object of the invention is to provide a practical convenient vehicle bed assembly, and one which will be effectivefor the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims. In the drawings: a 1 I Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a truck embodying thepresent invention; the bed assembly being shown in its rearward position but before downward tilting thereof.

Fig. 2 is a similar truck frame articulated and the bed assembly tilted downwardly for loading or unloading operations. J i Fig. 3is an enlarged plan view showing the bedassembly fully advanced-in its horizontal or load-carrying position. I 1

Fig. 4 is an enlarged Sidel "elevatio'nz showing the bed assembly in theiposition: of Fig. -'3." I Fig. 5 is an enlargedfragmentary-crosssection on line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

view, but shows the main Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section of the bed' assembly showing the manner of connection' therewit'h of the piston rod of the hydraulic control ram. 1

Fig. is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation, foreshortened, of the actuating mechanism which effects longitudinal slidingmotion of the vehicle bed assembly.

'Fig'. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section illustrating the loose-play connection between the actuating screw and a cross member of the bed assembly.

' Referring now more parricularly to thecharacters of reference on the drawings, the'invention is embodied, in the present instance, in a truck-type vehicle which includes a mainframe, indicated generally at I; front wheels 2; rear wheels 3; and an operators cab 4.

The mainframe i of the truck comprises a front section 5 and a rear section 6 articulated, ahead of the rear wheels 3; for vertical buckling motion about a pivot or hinge I which connects adjacent ends of said sections 5 and 6. The main drive shaft 8 of the truck is provided with such spline and universal connectionmeans as: will permit of the above articulation of the main frame 1 without hindrance. As shown, the rear wheels 3 are spring-mounted in connection with the rear section B.

A longitudinal vehicle bed asembly, indicated generally at 9, is mounted, intermediate its ends, in connection with the rear section 6 for-sliding motion between an advanced, load-carrying position, as in FigsJB and .4, to a rearward or re,- tracted position', as in Fig. 1, for downward tilting into ground engagement, upon articulation of the main frame I, as in Fig. 2, for ease of loading and unloading. s 1

The bed assembly 9 is mounted in connection with. the rear section ii for such motion, as follows: f 1

The bed. assembly 9' includes transversely spaced, longitudinal side beams [0 connected at the top at spaced pointsby cross bars "I I carry- 'ing the floor 12' of the'bed assemblyt. The longitudinal side beams Hi vertically aline with corresponding side beams 13 of the rear section 6; the side beams l3 carrying' a multiplicity of rollers 14- on which the side beams IQ of the bed assembly 9 rest; At opposite ends the side beams l3 carry flanged hold-down fingers l5 which cooperatively engage with longitudinal shoulders IS on the outside of-the longitudinal side beams Ill of 'the'bed assembly 9. In this manner-such bed assembly' flis slidable toand fro relative to the rear-section 6. 11

Such sliding movement of the bed assembly 9 between its advanced, horizontal, load-carrying position, and its rearward, downwardly tilted position into ground engagement for loading or unloading, is accomplished by the following mechanism:

The rear section 6 of the main frame I is fitted, intermediate its, ends, with acase I! which seats on a crossbar f8 zandaextendsrupwardly between the sidebeams' l ofthe'bed assembly 9. "Alongitudinal actuating screw I9 extends through the case [7, and is threaded therein through a bearing supported nut 20 within said case. :Attzone exposed end the screw I9 is coupled, in relatively non-rotatable but loose-play relation, wancrossbar 2| of the vehicle bed.:assembl y by means of a connection, indicated generally at 22. This connection 22 is loose-play to :prevent against binding of thezscrew I! in the nut 20,

(and said connectionacompriseaa transverselplate -23 rfixed on :zt'he .screw sandy. prevented zagainst separation fromtthe' crossbar 2 lwbyxtopr andzbottom retention flanges 24. The stem "2545f 113118 screw extendsxin lclearancesrelation through the -crossbar-,:-and a. nut and washer;unit 26 iszthreaded thereon :on the side zoppositepthegplate 23. This arrangement perniitsrzthasc'rew 2 H :to have slight loose playwrelative. to :the 'crossbarilll, and

sufficient :;to :prevent ,anyzbinding' :of xthe screw :i91innut2ll.

On the opposite side of the case theiprmecting portion of-tthescrewz'is 'r-protected'.,within,aa;ztelescopie hood. 2].

The nut't20iis power-actuated;torrunthezscrew .lfliiini one idirection zor the z other,:iby an een'dless chain and: sprocketiun'it I28, whoseilowensprocket is carried in a hanger29ibelow thecase 'llissuoh .lowensprocket .being idriven byia auniversal adrive shaft:.30 rfrom .areduction and :reversing;gear;box :3 I ,Onrtheiifront section'iinofi'thei main .frame:' I fIhismeduction-and -reversingzgearsbox l zistdriven from thewpower take-Foil shaft 32 of thetruck.

.A-control rod 33 leads" from :the reduction-and reversingzgearzboxifl forwardly toiazcontrol lever 34 in the: operators cab. By .meanspf .this ll'ever, which has auneutraland twosworking-.- positions, the :operator; of .the truck =.can cause actuation act the gear box 3| in one direction. or the other, .and corresponding (motion of ':the;screw:zI-.9.

Z-When the screwlfiisrumina directionitopause itslrearward iprojection, themed assembly-9 .is slid rearwardly :on the: rear :section -Z6-tifrom :its advanced load-carrying .positiontto its :reanw'ard position preparatory to tilting into iground'len- .gagement.

.In order :to;prevent accidental advance of ithe bed assembly 9 beyond its normal .zforwardrlimit of movementhan upstanding =Ileverz35zis :in'terposed in connection with the rod ".33 idinectly ahead of the gear box 3|; the bed assemblyz'fi having a-triggermember 3.8 zonj-its forward'end in position ltO engage the.lever.=35.

When :the-rod .33,is=se't to= causeoperatiomof gthe screw l9 in :aoforward directionythe levers inclines rearwardly, as shown inidottedvlines ;in Fig. '7. When the-bed assembly!) reachesritslnormal limitvof advance, the trigger 36 engages lever 35 and pushes it forwardly to neutral-position, stopping operation ofthe gearbox -3 l-,and=;the .connected mechanismawhereupon thezbed assembly 9 is likewise stopped.

The bed assembly 9 is adaptedto beidownwardly tilted, when in its rearmost'position, by-lmeans of a hydraulic ram l 31 mounted in the front section of the main frame I;

such ram including'ian 7 upwardly projecting piston rod 38 having a roller unit 39 on its upper end running, in non-separable relation, in a channel track 40 on the bottom of the bed assembly 9. There is a suitable stay rod 5 4| pivotally connected with the piston rod 38 to maintain its proper position, which is at a slight upward and rearward slope. By reason of the described arrangement vof roller unit 39 and .giabannel trackflfl; the abed'nssembly'may slide to '"andfro relativeito the'hydraulicram 31; the latter nevertheless being efiective, at any time, to "tilt said bed assembly.

wwhenathe bed assembly is in its retracted or reamnost position, the hydraulic ram 31, which dsqdfidoublemcting type, is operated in a direction lto?pnoject thepiston rod 38, causing tilting of said 'bed assembly rearwardly and downwardly into ,groun'd engagement. The hydraulic ram 31 is controlled .from the operator's cab by a hydraulic pressure system, shown, only impart at 42.

:With the bed assemblyzli in its :rearmost posi- -tion,-;and1-1tilted into, ground engagement, it may the-.easiimand-readily loaded; or unloaded.

;I;o z-facilitalte unloading operations -the vbed ,assembl-yia-is fittedwitha powemactuatedunload- .ing :device ;@which i comprises a transverse 'load engaging bar 43 which runs on':the:fioor -l'2-,-of rsaid-bedassembly. Thetransyersetbanfl.-is-fixed atox the upperrruns of a pairlof endlesschaina which, extend :longitudinally; of the bed assembly with saidg=upper runs traveling in r counter-sunk channels in said-floor l2.

:Theendlessschains- 44-;are carried, at opposite ends, by suitable sprockt-iunits'-46;, and said chains =are simultaneously and selectively :reverslbly drivenfiby'ttherfollowing arrangement:

a-A rcrossgshaftv-fl. isgournaled on i the bed 38.5- sembly :,.-9, band T-at aopposite v ends ;ca rries :drive sprockets 48 running in mesh with; the lower-runs 4c .of the i-chains fl; such mesh: beingamaintained hyemeans onguidewrollers #49. 1 Intermediate sits endstthe cross shaft .rtll-rextends through,:.and sis .dri-ven-by,-a; gearzboxfifl; to-which drive is imparted by =-.-a alongitudinally ;;.extending, v universal drive shaft-:SI. eThe-drive shaft :Sl 'extends forwardly .andcouples, at its front-.end,1to.a'reductiomandreversing.-gear -box;iz mounteddnithe. front-section :5 o'f,the truck frame-1,;alongsiderthe gearsboxrll, being drivenfrom thegipower take -off shaft 132 l byigann endless chain {and sprocket unit--53. reduction and reversinmgeanlboxzil is .controlled by a rod 54.leading1to,a lever-55,111 the cab l. The lever ,i5,.-has= a neutral; ands-two lworkingpositions, one ,wor-king gposition Y causing ,operation of "the '55 chains 44 and load engagingacrossbar-ifl; in;one

direction, while;the'.otheraworkingmosition causes lreversermotiomofisaidmarts.

-l1?'rom:the'-foregoing.-it ,will' be seen that? the :bed

assembly actuating screw F18; Tithe ;;bed mtilting,

hydraulic ram 31; and the crossbanmctuating @chainstllrmayzbe caused ;to function in onexlirec- :tioxworzthe;1other,:selexztivelymnd:independently .abyfehe f'qperator :01 -the 'truck,':as' working conditions may require.

.To unloadtthe truckaatga given' destinatiom-jthe operator first causes :the zbed assembly 19, with thepload ithereong'Eton be as hifted to its-rearmost position, and then the hydraulic rainy-"31 Z-is opzeratedito tilt :such bed assembly rearwardly and downwardly into ground -engagement. Under some load conditions the .bed' assemblymaytilt of uitself, runderithe Vzweightcofr'ethesload, and in this circumstancerthewhydreuliciramzil zmayibe usedeasaarcontrol :meansatogprevent toomapidhtilting movement.

It should also be noted that the hydraulic ram 31 may be used to positively maintain the bed assembly in its horizontal transport position.

After the bed assembly 9 is tilted into ground engagement, the described unloading device is actuated, with the load engaging cross bar 43 caused to move rearwardly on the floor l2, pushing the load from the bed assembly 9 onto the ground. It is obvious that the bed assembly 9 may also be unloaded onto an elevated platform, if desired.

' Loading of merely by a reversal of loading operations.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that there has been produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention, as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed as new and useful, andupon which Letters Patent are desired:

1. A vehicle comprising a wheel supported main frame, a bed assembly extending lengthwise of the main frame, means mounting the bed assembly on the main frame for sliding motion between an advanced horizontal position and'a rearward position, and means operative to effect such slidin motion of the bed assembly, said means including a power actuated longitudinal screw and nut unit coupled between the main frame and bed assembly.

2. A vehicle comprising a wheel supported main frame, a bed assembly extending lengthwise of the main frame, means mounting the bed assembly on the main frame for sliding motion between an advanced horizontal position and a rearward position tilting downwardly toward the rear, means operative to effect such sliding motion of the bed assembly and other means operative to control said tilting thereof, said other means including a fluid pressure actuated ram coupled between the main frame and bed assembly, there being a sliding connection between the ram and said bed assembly.

3. A vehicle comprising a Wheel supported main frame, a bed assembly extending lengthwise of the main frame, means mounting the bed assembly on the main frame for sliding motion between an advanced horizontal position and a rearward position tilting downwardly toward the rear, means operative to effect such sliding motion of the bed assembly, and other means operative to control said tilting thereof, said bed assembly sliding means including a power actuated longitudinal the bed assembly is accomplished the above described unscrew and nut unit coupled between the main frame and bed assembly, and said other means including a fluid pressure actuated ram coupled between the main frame and bed assembly.

4. A vehicle comprising a wheel supported main frame including a front section and a rear section pivoted together at adjacent ends for upward buckling from a substantially horizontally alined transport position, a bed assembly extending lengthwise of the main frame above the same, means mounting the bed assembly on the rear" section of the main frame for sliding motion between anh'advanced horizontal position, and a rearward position, and means operative L'to reversibly. effect such -rsliding motion of the bed assembly; .said means including a driven gear box on the front section, a universal drive shaft extending rearward from the gear box, a longitudinal screw and nut unit connected between the rear section and bed assembly, and driving connections between the universal drive shaft and said screw and nut unit.

5. A vehicle comprising a wheel supported main frame including a front section and a rear secton pivoted together at adjacent ends for upward buckling from a substantially horizontally alined transport position, a bed assembly extending lengthwise of the main frame above the same, means mounting the bed assembly on the rear section of the main frame for sliding motion between an advanced horizontal position and arearward position, and means operative to reversibly effect such sliding motion of the bed assembly; said means including a driven gear box on the front section, a universal drive shaft extending rearward from the gear box, a 1ongitudinal screw and nut unit connected between the rear section and bed assembly, and driving connections between the universal drive shaft and said screw and nut unit; there being a control lever for the driven gear box upstanding in the path of forward'sliding motion of the bed assembly, and means on the bed assembly to engage the lever and move same to a neutral position when said bed assembly reaches a predetermined point of advance.

6. A vehicle comprising a wheel supported main frame including a front section and a rear section pivoted together at adjacent ends for upward'buckling from a substantially horizontally alined transport position, a bed assembly extending lengthwise of the main frame above the same, means mounting the bed assembly. on the rear sectionof the main frame for sliding motion between an advanced horizontal position and a rearward position, means operative to reversibly effect such sliding motion of the bed assembly, and other means inter-connected between the front section of the main frame and said bed assembly and operativeto effect rearward and downward tilting of the bed assembly and connected rear section of the mainframe.

'7. A vehicle comprising awheel supported main frame including a front section and a rear section pivoted together at adjacent ends for upward buckling from a substantially horizontally alined transport position, a. bed assembly extending lengthwise of the main frame above the same, means mounting the bed assembly on therear section of the main frame for sliding motion between an advanced horizontal position and a rearward position, means operative to reversibly effect such sliding motion of the bed assembly,..and other means inter-connected betweentheifront sectionof the main frame and said bed assembly and operative. to effect rearward and downward tiltingofthe bed assembly and-connectedrear section. of the main frame;

said 'bed assembly sliding means and tilting means being reversibly, selectively, and independently, operative.

8. A vehicle-comprising a wheel supported main frame including a front sectionand. a rear section pivoted together. at adjacent ends for upward buckling from a substantially horizontallylalinedstransport position, a .bed assembly extending lengthwise of the main frame above the same, means mounting. thebed assemblyon the main. frame for sliding and a-rearward position, means operativetorreversibly effect such -sliding. motion .of the bedzas- .sembly, and other means operativeto effect rearward anddownward tilting of the bed assembly and connected rearzsection of the-main frame; there beinga power actuated unloading device cooperatively associated with the bed assembly.

9. AAVehicIe comprising a wheel supported mainframe including afront section :anda rear section pivoted together at adjacent ends .for

:upward bucklin from.-a substantially. horizontally alined transport position, a bed'assembly extending lengthwise of themain frame above =the;same, means mounting the bed assembly on the rear section of the'inainwframe for sliding v motion between an advanced horizontal position .and a rearward position, means operative .to'reversibly effect such sliding.motion of :thebed assembly, and other means operative to effect rearward and downward tilting ofthe bed .as-

sembly and connected rear section of the-main frame; there being a power actuated unloading device cooperatively associated with the bedas- --tween an advanced horizontal position and-a rearward position, means operative to reversibly effect such sliding motion of thebed assembly, and other means operative to effect rearward and downward tiltin of the bedassemblyand connectedv rear-section of the main frameysaid bed assembly slidingmeans comprising a longitudinal screw and nut unit connected between therear section and bed assembly, a universal drive shaft connected in driving relation toysaid unit and-v thence extending forwardly, and a; gear box -on the :front section driving said shaft.

11. .A vehicle comprising .a wheel supported main frame including a front sectionand a rear section pivoted together at adjacent ends forup- 1 wardbucklin from a substantiallyhorizontally alined transport position, .a bed cassembly .extending-lengthwise of the mainframe above the same, means .mounting the bed-assembly ion the rear section of the main frame for sliding-motion f betweenan advanced horizontal position and a rearward position,.means operative t reversibly effectsuch sliding motion of the bed assembly, and other means operative to effect rearward and downward tilting of the bed assemblyand connectedi rear sectioniof the main frame; saidbed tilting means comprising a fluid pressure actuated ram connected. between the front section and the bed assembly, there being a sliding connection between said ram and permit of sliding of the latter.

l2./Avehicle comprisinga main frame supportedby front and rear wheels, said frame being articulated-betweenthe wheels forupward bucklingvmotion from 'a' normal substantiallyhorizontal transport position, a bed. assembly extend- .inglengthwise ofithemain frame above the same, means mounting the bed assemblyon the rear section ofthemain frame for sliding motion between -::an .1 advanced horizontal position and :a

bed :assembly to v rrearward position, means :operativeto reversibly effect such :sli'ding motion 10f .the 1 bed assembly. and .other means interconnected between the :frontsection-of themain frame and. said bed assemblyzand operative to effect rearwardand zdownward tilting of the bed assembly and connected rear section of the main frame.

:13. .-A vehicle comprising awheel supported mainframedncluding a frontsection-and a rear section; pivoted together atadjacent ends for relative upward bucklin from a substantially hori- 'zontally-alined transport position,- a bed assembly mounted. on. the rear sectionfor sliding movement lengthwise thereof, and-a hydraulic ram .pivotally supported at one end on theifront sec- -tion, the-bed assembly beingpivotallyand slidv.ably'- connected with the other end of said ram.

14. A vehicle comprising a wheel supported -main frame including a front section-and a rear section. pivoted together at adjacent ends for relative upward buckling from asubstantiallyhorizontally alined transport vposition,.the rear section comprising-upstanding transversely spaced apart side beams, a plurality of longitudinally .spacedrollers on each side'beam, a bed assembly including transversely spaced apart side beams, each of such latterbeamsriding on the rollers on one of the side beams ofthe said rear section, longitudinally disposed shoulders onthe outside of each of the beams i of the bed assembly, and .flanged fingers longitudinally spacedalong each of thelbeams of the rear section and overhanging the shoulder on the adjacent beamof the bed assemblyrandmeans toslide the bed-assembly backand' forth on said rollers.

'15. A vehicle comprising a wheel supported main frame including a front section anda rear section .pivoted together at adjacent ends for relative upward buckling from a substantially horizontally alined transport position, the rear section comprising upstanding transversely spacedapart side-beams, a plurality of longitudinally spaced rollers on each side beam, 2. bed assembly including transversely spaced apart side beams, each of such latter beams riding on the rollers onone of. the side beams of the said rear section, longitudinally disposed shoulders on the .outside of each of the beams of the bed assembly, flanged fingers longitudinally spaced along each of the beams of the rear section and overhang- .ing theshoulder on the adjacent beam of the .bedassembly,.a power driven nut journaled' be- .tweenandsupported on the side beamsof the rear-section, and a screw'fixed in connection with and disposed between the, side beams of the bed assembly, said screw being threaded through said vnut.

EDWARD LISOTA.

"REFERENCES CITED The followingreferences are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES-.-PATENTS Number Name Date 1,378,812 Holmes May 17, 1921 1,885,399 Wren Nov. 1,1932

2,169,661 Ratcliife Aug. 15, 1939 2,408,862 Lisota Oct.'8, 1946 2,418,726 Rogers, Jr Apr.'8, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 472,467 Great-Britain Sept. 23,1937 "160,730 France Dec. 27,1933 

